Greenhouse gases are generated by all kinds of things. Burning fossil fuels is likely the most commonly known cause of these gases, however it is not the most substantial. Animal agriculture causes 18% of emissions, more than all forms of transportation combined. Transportation is the cause of 13% of emissions. Livestock byproducts are responsible for 51% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, due to the 32,000 million tons of carbon dioxide released per year. Additionally, the waste produced by livestock produces more methane than any other source. Methane has been shown to do more damage to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide – possibly 100 times more destructive on a 20 year timeframe. 150 billion gallons of methane are produced every day from livestock. Livestock also releases around 65% of emissions of nitrous oxide, a gas almost 300 times as powerful as carbon dioxide. Nitrous oxide can remain in the atmosphere for 150 years.
These emissions are expected to increase over the years, possibly up to 60% of all emissions. Energy emissions are expected to increase to 20%. When global warming begins to substantially affect our planet, one can expect prices to increase on many day-to-day items, and some may even lose their homes. We can expect to see climate wars due to the rising ocean levels destroying some inhabited lands.
Of course, riding a bike or walking is much better for than planet than driving a car, however leaving meat off your plate will have a much greater impact. How else might someone reduce their impact on the atmosphere? Should there be better laws in place in order to protect the environment? Or is the health of the planet the responsibility of every one on it?
